SuperSport edge Ajax in weather-affected clash

Cape Town - Thuso Phala's extra-time goal steered SuperSport United to a 1-0 win over Ajax Cape Town in their Telkom Knockout Round of 16 clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday. 

The game had to be stalled for 30 minutes in extra-time due to extreme conditions, but the match was able to resume with the storm having passed. 

Neither side were able to stamp their authority on the match in the early exchanges in what was a cagey opening half-hour. 

Kingston Nkhatha finally conjured the first noteworthy attempt on goal in the 31st minute. Phala weaved his way into the area before setting-up the Zimbabwean striker who somehow failed to hit the target with the goal at his mercy. 

The Urban Warriors started to find their rhythm as the half progressed with Prince Nxumalo unlucky to fall at the vital moment as he aimed to capitalize on a mistake by Mario Booysen 10 minutes later. 

In the end, Rowen Williams made an easy save with Nxumalo's tame effort rolling harmlessly into the goal-minder's grateful hands. 

Williams work in the first stanza wasn't done with the shot-stopper forced into action on the cusp of half-time to keep out Erick Chipeta's curling free-kick. 

Chances continued to come at premium after the break with Bradley Grobler's effort to inject some impetus to no avail - the forward directing two goal attempts in quick succession wide of goal. 

With the game deadlocked after 90 minutes, the match proceeded to 30 minutes of extra-time. 

The rain subsequently started to bucket down, but the downpour finally brought a goal with Phala hammering home via a deflection in the 92nd minute.  

The weather, though, went from bad to worse with the referee deciding to halt the game, but after 30 minutes the two teams reemerged from the tunnel with the rain having subsided. 

Ajax pushed in desperate search of the equaliser, but to no avail as they crashed out of the Telkom Knockout Cup. 

Teams:

SuperSport United

Williams, Farmer, Booysen (Daniels 60'), Gould, Boxall, Furman, Letsholonyane, Phala, Nkhatha (Grobler 46'), Mnyamane (Morton 90'), Brockie

Ajax Cape Town

February; Lebusa, Chipeta, Coetzee, Mabaso, Isaacs, Graham (Mdabuka 78'), Morris, Mzwakali (Mayambela 90'), Mosadi, Nxumalo (Lupeta 87')